Magnetic display tray

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a magnetic display tray for receiving rectangular greeting card boxes for display at a point of sale. The magnetic display tray includes a body that has a plurality of side walls with depressions formed therein. The body further includes a plurality of partitions that define rectangular channels for receiving the greeting card boxes. At least one magnet is adhered to the body for removably securing the body to a metal shelving surface at the point of sale.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a tray for displaying product in astore. More specifically, the present invention relates to a tray fordisplaying boxed material, such as greeting card packages.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Greeting cards can be packaged and displayed at a point of sale in boxedsets, such as boxes of Christmas cards or other holiday cards. However,it is not uncommon for customers to disturb the boxes, thereby creatingdisorder in stores as they shop. For example, customers often handlesuch boxes and then replace them on a shelf incorrectly. As anotherexample, it is not uncommon for customers to inadvertently knock theboxes from the shelf. It is desirable to display products such as boxedgreeting cards at the points-of-sale in an orderly and space-efficientmanner. It is also desirable to display these boxes in such a mannerthat they can be advantageously viewed, secured in place, and easilyreplaced to an orderly and secure position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the disadvantages and shortcomings ofthe problems of the prior art by providing a magnetic display tray fordisplaying a plurality of greeting card boxes in an orderly arrangedmanner atop a metal shelving surface at a point of sale. In an exemplaryembodiment of the invention, the magnetic display tray includes a traybody and at least one magnet adhered to the body for removably securingthe body to the metal shelving surface at the point of sale.

In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, the body includes aplurality of side walls that define a perimeter of the body and thathave a plurality of depressions formed therein. The body furtherincludes a plurality of partitions extending from a first one of saidside walls to a second one of said side walls to define a firstsubstantially rectangular channel and a second substantially rectangularchannel parallel with respect to the first substantially rectangularchannel. A plurality of alternating crest areas and trough areas extendbetween the first one of the side walls and the second one of the sidewalls. Each one of the trough areas has a seating surface that furtherdefine one of the channels corresponding thereto. At least one magnet issecured to at least one of the trough areas, such as by an adhesive orother suitable means.

In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, each one of thedepressions of the body includes a recess and a ridge complementarythereto. A second magnetic display tray can be provided with a pluralityof depressions also each having a recess and ridge complementarythereto. The depressions of the first tray cooperatively mate with thedepressions of the second tray, such that the trays are convenientlystacked for space-efficient shipping.

Additional features, functions and benefits of the magnetic display traywill be apparent from the detailed description which follows,particularly when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference ismade to the following detailed description of exemplary embodiment(s)considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a magnetic display trayconstructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,the magnetic display tray being shown in combination with a plurality ofrectangular packages;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the magnetic display tray shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the magnetic display tray shown in FIG.1;

FIG. 4 is a right side elevational view of the magnetic display trayshown in FIG. 1, a left side elevational view being identical thereto;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the magnetic display tray shown inFIG. 1, a rear elevational view being identical thereto;

FIG. 6 is a sectional elevational view showing the magnetic display trayof FIG. 1, the section having been taken along section line 6-6 of FIG.2;

FIG. 7 is a sectional perspective view showing the magnetic display trayof FIG. 1, the section having been taken along section line 7-7 of FIG.2;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a magnetic display tray having a bodythat is formed of a transparent material;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the magnetic display tray of FIG. 8with boxes of greeting cards removably received therein, the magneticdisplay tray being shown positioned atop a shelf having a metal shelvingsurface at a point-of-sale;

FIG. 10A is a partially exploded view of the magnetic display tray ofFIG. 1 in combination with a second magnetic display tray that is inaligned with the magnetic display tray of FIG. 1 for stacking thereon;and

FIG. 10B is an assembly view of the magnetic display trays of FIG. 10Ahaving a stacked orientation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, a magnetic display tray 10 constructed inaccordance with the present invention is shown to include a body 12, amagnetic strip 14, and an adhesive layer 16. As will be discussed belowwith further detail, the body 12 is configured for secure placement on ametal shelving surface by means of the magnetic strip 14, which isadhered to an underside of the body 12 by the adhesive layer 16. Themagnetic display tray 10 is shown in combination with a plurality ofgreeting card boxes 18 that are removably received into the body 12 fordisplay at a point-of-sale.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 10B, the body 12 is unitarily formed of aplastic material. The body 12 is shown to be oblique in FIGS. 1-6 and10A-10B for the purpose of facilitating consideration and discussion ofthe drawings. However, it shall be understood that the body 12 can betransparent and/or translucent as shown in FIGS. 7-9.

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, the body 12 has a center area 20. The centerarea 20 extends from a first perimeter wall 22 along a first axis A1 toa second perimeter wall 24 that is substantially parallel to the firstperimeter wall 22. The center area 20 also extends along a second axisA2, perpendicular to the first axis A1, from a third perimeter wall 26to a fourth perimeter wall 28 that is substantially parallel to thethird perimeter wall 26 and substantially perpendicular to the firstperimeter wall 22 and the second perimeter wall 24.

The center area 20 is designed and configured to removably receive thegreeting card boxes 18 (or similarly-shaped boxes) by defining aplurality of alternating crest areas 30 and trough areas 32. Each one ofthe crest areas 30 extends parallel to the first axis A1 from the firstperimeter wall 22 to the second perimeter wall 24. Each one of the crestareas 30 is substantially parallel to each other one of the crest areas30, and is spaced at intervals extending from the third perimeter wall26 to the fourth perimeter wall 28. Each one of the crest areas 30 isco-planar with respect to each other one of the crest areas 30 along ageometric plane (not designated).

Partitions 38 (designated in FIG. 6) extend perpendicularly from eachone of the crest areas 30 to each one of the trough areas 32 adjacentthereto. Each one of the partitions 38 is planar and extends parallelwith respect to each other one of the partitions 38. Each one of thepartitions 38 has a first partition surface 40 and a second partitionsurface 42 opposite thereto (designated in FIG. 3). The magnetic displaytray 10 has an elevation H, which is defined by the partitions 38, thefirst perimeter wall 22, the second perimeter wall 24, the thirdperimeter wall 26, and the fourth perimeter wall 28 (designated in FIGS.4-6).

Continuing with reference to FIGS. 1-6, the trough areas 32 extend inthe same direction as the first axis A1 from a first trough end wall 44to a second trough end wall 46 opposite thereto. The trough areas 32 arespaced at intervals from the third perimeter wall 26 to the fourthperimeter wall 28. Each one of the trough areas 32 is co-planar withrespect to each other one of the trough areas 32 and parallel withrespect to the crest areas 30. Each one of the trough areas 32cooperates with the first partition surfaces 40 adjacent thereto and thetrough end walls 44, 46 adjacent thereto to define a substantiallyrectangular channel 48 for removable reception of the greeting cardboxes 18.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 6, each one of the trough area 32 includes aseating surfaces 50 facing one of the corresponding channels 48 andfurther includes an underside surface 52 opposite the seating surface50. Each one of the trough areas 32 is separated from each other one ofthe trough areas 32 by a groove 54, which is an open space defined byand between one of the second partition surfaces 42, another of thesecond partition surfaces 42 adjacent thereto, and the corresponding oneof the crest areas 30 extending therebetween.

As shown in FIGS. 6-7, each one of the trough areas 32 form an angle θ₁with respect to each of the trough end walls 44, 46 correspondingthereto, and an angle θ₂ with respect to the partitions 38 correspondingthereto. Moreover, each one of the partitions 38 form an angle θ₃ withrespect to the trough end walls 44, 46 corresponding thereto. Each oneof the angles θ₁, θ₂, and θ₃ is preferably about ninety degrees (90°).The resulting shape of the channel 48 facilitates removable reception ofthe rectangular greeting card boxes 18 from the second perimeter wall 24across the length of the body 12 to the first perimeter wall 22, suchthat the greeting card boxes 18 are maintained in a substantiallyupright position, e.g., at the normal angle with respect to the troughareas 30.

Referring to FIG. 3, each one of the perimeter walls 22, 24, 26, 28includes an outer perimeter wall surface 58 and an inner perimeter wallsurface 60. Spaces 62 are formed between the inner perimeter wallsurface 60 of the first perimeter wall 22 and the trough area end walls44, the inner perimeter wall surface 60 of the second perimeter wall 24and the trough area end walls 46, the inner perimeter wall surface 60 ofthe third perimeter wall 26 and the outer partition surface 42 adjacentthereto, and the inner perimeter wall surface 60 of the fourth perimeterwall 28 and the outer partition surface 42 adjacent thereto.

Referring to FIG. 7, the perimeter walls 22, 24, 26, 28 have depressions66 formed therein. Each one of the depressions 66 include a recess 68formed along the corresponding outer perimeter wall 62 and a ridge 70formed along the corresponding inner perimeter wall surface 60 oppositethe recess 68. The ridge 70 preferably defines the recess 68 and iscomplementary thereto.

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate a second magnetic display tray 110 of thepresent invention. Elements illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B of themagnetic display tray 110 which correspond either identically orsubstantially to the elements described above with respect to themagnetic display tray 10 of FIGS. 1-9 have been designated bycorresponding reference numerals increased by one hundred. Unlessotherwise stated, the magnetic display tray 110 of FIGS. 10A and 10B isconstructed and assembled and operates in the same basic manner as themagnetic display tray 10 of FIGS. 1-9.

Referring to FIGS. 10A and 10B, the depressions 66 of one magneticdisplay tray 10 advantageously provide for interaction with thedepressions 166 of another like magnetic display tray 110 for stacking.When the first magnetic display tray 10 is stacked atop the secondmagnetic display tray 110, the ridges 70 on the magnetic display tray 10are pressed into the recesses (not designated) of the depressions 166 ofthe second magnetic display tray 110. The ridges 70 of the magneticdisplay tray 10 and the recesses of the second magnetic display tray 110cooperatively mate to releasably secure the body 12 of the firstmagnetic display tray 10 to a body 112 of the second magnetic displaytray assembly 110. In this manner, the magnetic display trays 10, 110occupy less space for shipment and are more securely transported to apoint-of-sale.

Referring to FIGS. 1-8, the magnetic display tray 10 includes a magnet,such as the magnetic strip 14, adhered and/or otherwise secured to thebody 12. The magnetic strip 14 is substantially rectangular in shape anddimensioned to fit on the trough area underside surface 52, such thatthe magnetic strip 14 extends substantially from the first perimeterwall 22 to the second perimeter wall 24. The magnetic strip 14 issecured to the trough area underside surface 52 by means of an adhesivelayer 16 (shown and designated in FIG. 1). The adhesive layer 16includes any one or more of a variety of suitable adhesives known in theart. The adhesive layer 16 is shown to be continuous and substantiallyrectangular in shape, but can be discontinuous and/or have any suitableshape.

Referring to FIG. 9, a plurality of the magnetic display trays 10 areshown to be transparent and are positioned at the point-of-sale incombination with greeting card boxes 18 and a plurality of shelves 74.Each one of shelves 74 has a metal shelving surface suitable forcooperating with the magnetic strip 14 to magnetically and releasablysecure the body 12 of the magnetic display tray 10. In use, the magneticdisplay tray 10 is securely placed on one of the shelves 74, andgreeting card boxes 18 are removably received in each one of therectangular channels 48 of the body 12 in orderly rows for display.

It will be understood that that a person skilled in the art may makemany variations and modifications without departing from the spirit andthe scope of the present invention. For example, the magnetic displaytray 10 could display products other than greeting card boxes. Themagnetic strip 14 could be fastened to the body 12 using a variety ofadhesives and/or other securing means, and more than one magnetic strip14 can be used to increase stability. All such variations andmodifications, including those discussed above, are intended to beincluded within the scope of the present invention as defined in theappended claims.

1. A magnetic display tray for receiving rectangular greeting cardboxes, comprising: a body having a first side wall, a second side wallopposite said first side wall, and a plurality of partitions extendingfrom said first side wall to said second side wall to define a firstchannel and a second channel parallel with respect to said firstchannel; and at least one magnet secured to said body for removablysecuring said body to a metal shelving surface at a point of display. 2.The magnetic display tray of claim 1, wherein said first channel is asubstantially rectangular channel, and wherein said second channel is asubstantially rectangular channel.
 3. The magnetic display tray of claim1, wherein said body includes a plurality of trough areas extendingbetween said first side wall and said second side wall, each of saidtrough areas extending from one of said plurality of partitions toanother one of said plurality of partitions adjacent thereto.
 4. Themagnetic display tray of claim 3, wherein each one of said trough areashas a seating surface further defining one of said first channel andsaid second channel.
 5. The magnetic display tray of claim 4, whereineach one of said trough areas has an underside surface opposite saidseating surface, said magnet being secured to said underside surface ofat least one of said trough areas.
 6. The magnetic display tray of claim5, including an adhesive layer securing said magnet to said undersidesurface.
 7. The magnetic display tray of claim 3, wherein said bodyincludes a plurality of crest areas extending between said first sidewall and said second side wall, each of said crest areas extending fromone of said plurality of partitions to another one of said plurality ofpartitions adjacent thereto.
 8. The magnetic display tray of claim 7,wherein said plurality of crest areas alternate with respect to saidplurality of trough areas.
 9. The magnetic display tray of claim 1,wherein said first side wall and said second side wall have a pluralityof depressions formed therein.
 10. The magnetic display tray of claim 9,wherein each one of said plurality of depressions includes a recess anda ridge complementary thereto.
 11. The magnetic display tray of claim 9in combination with a second magnetic display tray, wherein said secondmagnetic display tray includes a second body having a second pluralityof depressions that cooperate with said plurality of depressions toreleasably secure said body to said second body.
 12. The magneticdisplay tray of claim 1 in combination with the rectangular greetingcard boxes.
 13. The magnetic display tray of claim 1 in combination withthe metal shelving surface.
 14. A magnetic display tray for receivingrectangular greeting card boxes, comprising: a first body having aplurality of side walls having a first plurality of depressions formedtherein and defining a perimeter of said first body, a plurality ofpartitions extending from a first one of said side walls to a second oneof said side walls to define a first substantially rectangular channeland a second substantially rectangular channel parallel with respect tosaid first substantially rectangular channel, a plurality of alternatingcrest areas and trough areas extending between said first one of saidside walls and said second one of side walls; and at least one magnetadhered to at least one of said trough areas for removably securing saidbody to a metal shelving surface at a point of sale.
 15. The magneticdisplay tray of claim 14, wherein each one of said trough areas has aseating surface further defining one of said channels correspondingthereto.
 16. The magnetic display tray of claim 14, wherein each one ofsaid first plurality of depressions includes a recess and a ridgecomplementary thereto.
 17. The magnetic display tray of claim 14 incombination with a second magnetic display tray, wherein said secondmagnetic display tray includes a second body having a second pluralityof depressions that cooperate with said first plurality of depressionsto releasably secure said first body to said second body.
 18. Themagnetic display tray of claim 14 in combination with the rectangulargreeting card boxes.
 19. The magnetic display tray of claim 14 incombination with the metal shelving surface.